Tag: pipes

How Often Should I Replace the Plumbing in My House?

replace the plumbing in your house

Your plumbing is an important component of your house and any problem with it could cause even greater issues in the future. It’s important to keep your plumbing well-maintained and clean to prevent any malfunction. However, it’s also important to consider the age of your pipes and fixtures and whether you need to repair them or replace them entirely. To help you decide, the pros at MA Williams have prepared a guide on whether you should repair or replace the plumbing in your home and how often you should do so.

How Often Should You Replace Your Plumbing?

To find the answer to this question, it’s important to consider the average lifespan of the plumbing components and fixtures in your home.

  1. Supply Pipes
  • Copper pipes can last for 50 + years
  • Brass can last from 40 to 45
  • Cast iron pipes can go from 75 to 100 years
  • PVC supply pipes can last indefinitely

 

  1. Drain Lines
  • Cast iron drainpipes can last from 80 to 100 years
  • PVC drainpipes can last from 25 to 40 years

 

  1. Toilet

Your toilet can last from 10 to 15 years while its wax seal can last from 20 to 30 years. Other components like the toilet flapper can last from 4 to 5 years.

  1. Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal can last all the way up to 10 ears with proper maintenance.

  1. Water Heater

Traditional water heaters can last from 10-15 years, but tankless water heaters can go all the way up to 20 years with proper maintenance.

Next, Figure Out How Well-Maintained Your Plumbing Is

However, a long life span does not mean that your plumbing is durable, long-lasting, and far from needing replacing. Other factors to consider are how well-installed your pipes and fixtures are, how much maintenance (both professional and DIY) they have received and whether they are constantly clogging or leaking or not. Maintenance plays a major role in deciding whether it is better to simply repair or replace your plumbing components.

Have You Undergone a Renovation? You Might Want to Replace Plumbing

According to The Spruce, if you have renovated your kitchen, bathroom, or basement, it might be a good idea to replace your plumbing while you are at it. You won’t need to replace any other parts save for exposed piping. However, if the walls have been removed too, it can’t hurt to look for leaks and cracks in the normally hidden plumbing as well.

Signs Your Plumbing Needs Your Attention

Sometimes plumbing problems aren’t as obvious. For example, leaks can be hidden away and clogs might build up over time in the mainline without showing up in your fixtures. So, it is important to keep an eye for these signs that you might have a plumbing problem:

  • Water stains on walls or bubbling paint and wallpaper
  • Increasing water bill
  • Mold or mildew in certain areas of your home like under your kitchen sink or in your basement
  • Your water meter increases even when water is not being used in your home
  • Fittings around your toilet or tub (caulking or sealing) are loose
  • Your yard has odd green or damp spots

Have anymore questions about replacing the plumbing in your home? Contact MA Williams at 804-250-5625 or schedule a service online.